description Barataria Preserve Overview
Barataria Preserve is a unit of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in southeastern Louisiana, southwest of New Orleans. It protects a landscape of bayous, marshes, bottomland hardwood forest, and bald cypress and water tupelo swamp within the Mississippi River delta region. Boardwalks and trails provide access for walking, wildlife observation, and interpretation of wetland ecology, while waterways can be explored by canoe or kayak where permitted.
insights Ranking position
Barataria Preserve ranks #60 of 108 in the Swamp ranking, behind Inle Lake Wetlands, ahead of Edwin B. Forsythe NWR.
help Barataria Preserve FAQ
What landscapes can I see at Barataria Preserve?
Barataria Preserve protects more than 26,000 acres of marsh, bayou, cypress-tupelo swamp, bottomland forest, and former agricultural land. Its landscapes form part of the Mississippi River delta southwest of New Orleans.
Is Barataria Preserve part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park?
Yes. Barataria Preserve is one of the sites managed within Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in southern Louisiana.
Can visitors walk through the swamp at Barataria Preserve?
Yes, the preserve has trails and boardwalks that enter its wetland and forest habitats without requiring a boat. Conditions can change after storms or flooding, so visitors should check National Park Service trail notices before traveling.
What wildlife might I encounter at Barataria Preserve?
Visitors may see American alligators, turtles, snakes, armadillos, and numerous wetland birds. Wildlife is free-ranging across the preserve's 26,000-plus acres, so sightings are never guaranteed.
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